A bill to prohibit sales and the issuance of licenses for the export of certain defense articles to the United Arab Emirates, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 935
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-20T11:56:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to restrict U.S. arms sales and export licenses to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a means to pressure the UAE to cease providing material support—such as weapons, equipment, or supplies—to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Exports: Starting from the date of enactment, the President is barred from approving sales or issuing licenses for the export of specific "covered defense articles" to the UAE or its agencies under the Arms Export Control Act (a U.S. law governing international arms transfers).
- Certification Requirement: The prohibition remains in effect until the President certifies in writing to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that the UAE is no longer providing material support to the RSF in Sudan.
- Definition of Covered Defense Articles: These include items from specific categories (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XIV, XVI, XVII, or XVIII) on the United States Munitions List—a regulatory list maintained by the State Department that controls exports of defense-related items like firearms, artillery, aircraft, and military electronics.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This introduces a targeted, conditional ban on certain arms exports to the UAE, modifying the broader framework of the Arms Export Control Act by adding a Sudan-specific human rights and foreign policy condition.
- It empowers congressional committees with oversight through the required presidential certification, potentially increasing legislative influence over executive foreign policy decisions on arms sales.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The State Department and President would face new restrictions and reporting obligations, possibly delaying or halting ongoing arms deals worth billions, while requiring intelligence assessments on UAE actions in Sudan.
- On Citizens and International Relations: U.S. defense companies could lose revenue from UAE contracts, affecting jobs in the arms industry. It may strain U.S.-UAE diplomatic and military ties, a key alliance in the Middle East, while signaling U.S. support for stability in Sudan and potentially influencing the broader Horn of Africa conflict.
- Broader Effects: Could indirectly aid efforts to resolve Sudan's civil war by pressuring the UAE to withdraw support from the RSF, but risks escalating regional tensions if perceived as interference.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: The President, State Department, and congressional foreign affairs committees, which must monitor compliance and handle certifications.
- United Arab Emirates: Directly impacted by limits on acquiring U.S. defense equipment, potentially affecting its military capabilities and foreign policy in Sudan.
- Sudanese Parties: The RSF and opposing forces in Sudan's conflict, as reduced UAE support could alter the balance of power.
- U.S. Defense Industry: Manufacturers and exporters of munitions listed items, who rely on sales to allies like the UAE.
- International Actors: Other nations involved in Sudan (e.g., via UN or African Union efforts) and Middle East partners, who may view this as a shift in U.S. regional strategy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces congressional authority over arms exports under Article I of the Constitution (commerce and war powers), potentially setting a precedent for conditioning sales on human rights compliance in conflict zones.
- Constitutional: Balances executive foreign policy discretion with legislative oversight, avoiding outright bans by allowing presidential certification to lift restrictions.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan concerns over Sudan's humanitarian crisis (involving widespread violence and displacement) and U.S. complicity in fueling it through allies. If enacted, it could spark debates on selective arms embargoes versus broader non-proliferation goals, with implications for U.S. credibility in promoting global stability.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2025-03-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To prohibit sales and the issuance of licenses for the export of certain defense articles to the United Arab Emirates, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-03-11 — PDF (2 pages)